Meet Heidi Hood

Today we’d like to introduce you to Heidi Hood. 

Hi Heidi, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
So, I’ve always lived in Kansas City or around it. I’ve always been into drawing, painting, and art in general. Ever since I was little it was just something I did. When I was 15 and getting asked what I wanted to do with my life, I decided I wanted to tattoo. Now, my parents didn’t have many tattoos, but they’ve always been really supportive and encouraged me to be myself. At the time I was really into the whole rebellious thing, dyed hair, piercings, weird clothes, etc. and I still really loved drawing, that never changed, so I decided I wanted to get an apprenticeship and get licensed to tattoo. The only problem was how. When I was 16, I was able to go to certain shops to get piercings and hang out for a bit, but I was just a kid and I didn’t really know anyone except the piercer. When I turned 18, I started working as a piercing apprentice at a shop in northeast kc, even though that wasn’t exactly what I wanted to do, I just didn’t know anybody in the industry and didn’t know any better. I was there for about 8 months before I just had to leave, it wasn’t a great place to work and it wasn’t what I wanted to do. While I was there, I got to know some amazing artists but I was still back to square one. There weren’t many people willing to take on an apprentice at the time. Luckily, I still had my family and friends’ support and I just kept drawing and painting every day and sharing my desire to be an artist. It took a few months but I was able get an actual apprenticeship for tattooing. I worked this shop just outside of blue springs for about a year but that was it. The artist that was teaching me suffered a broken arm and soon after that the shop closed down. That was the end of that, I hit another dead end. I wasn’t sure what to do after that, but I started going to college classes for graphic design just to stay busy and keep creating. I wasn’t going to give up on drawing and painting every day. It was a few months later that one of the artists that I had worked with previously reached out and said that he had seen how hard I had worked and how much my art was progressing and agreed to teach me. It wasn’t always easy; apprenticeships are a lot like internships and college in one. They do cost a lot and that varies from person to person. I did need to have a log of all the hours I worked, I was expected to work long hours, have new drawings every day, almost like homework, on top of learning all the general things like cleaning a shop and how to properly apply a tattoo. While we moved around a couple times, my mentor ended up opening his own shop and all in all it took about 2 and half years. I was finally licensed in 2015. But being a newly licensed artist, I didn’t have much of a reputation and it wasn’t easy to make a living. I just knew I had to keep at it and with the help of a really great friend I got hired by a shop in Raytown. We’ve since then relocated to Westport and I’ve been apart of the Working Class crew for almost 6 years. I really feel like that without all the hard work and endless support from friends and family, and just growing up in Kansas City, I wouldn’t have been able to grow as an artist and live the life I wanted when I was young. In 2017 I got the amazing chance to marry my high school sweetheart and best friend. A year later we had a little a girl and it’s been amazing. It’s been crazy ride but I’ve been able to do so many things and meet so many incredible people that I don’t think I’d have ever gotten to if I had given up hope. 

I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey have been a fairly smooth road?
It’s definitely been a struggle at times. The tattoo industry is expanding but it’s still very stubborn and traditional and as a young woman it was hard trying to find someone that would take me seriously. In between the times when I wasn’t at a shop, I would go to local places asking if anyone needed extra help and showing my portfolio and I got turned down by literally everyone. Some places wouldn’t even speak to me. It was really discouraging. I didn’t learn till later on that that’s just how it is with a lot of places. Because tattooing is so rewarding, and yet still so “taboo”, when you’re trying to get into it, it all comes down to how bad do you want it? You really have to dedicate yourself every day. 

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I’m a tattoo artist and I mainly specialize in bright bold color. I do a lot of space/galaxy and watercolor, which isn’t really something that many other artists do. I really enjoy doing watercolor tattoos simply because they are a challenge and I literally get to have freedom and color outside the lines. Every watercolor design I do is unique and drawn to fit the client. No two tattoos will ever be the same and it’s really fun to play with different colors and see how I can get them to flow together in one piece. 

Before we let you go, we’ve got to ask if you have any advice for those who are just starting out?
Don’t give up! Ever. Even when no one’s looking, keep trying and drawing and painting. When I first started out, I didn’t realize just how many times I’d have to start over on the same thing. When they say practice makes perfect, that means every day. 

Contact Info:

• Email: hoodheidin@gmail.com
• Instagram: @heidihoodtattoos
• Facebook: Heidi Hood Tattoos

Image Credits:
Ana Sadhu